Golden Hour Calculator
without the guesswork.
Golden Hour Blue Hour Window Calculator — Calculate blue-hour and golden-hour windows from date, coordinates and visible solar-angle bands. Uses a focused calculator with visible assumptions. Inputs stay in your browser.
Windows are calculated from solar altitude at the selected coordinates: blue hour −6° to −4° and golden hour −4° to +6°.
Context matters.
- The NOAA solar equations provide planning-grade times; terrain, buildings, elevation, refraction and weather can change visible light at the scene.
- UTC offset must match the location on the selected date, including daylight-saving time.
- Golden and blue hour are photographic conventions rather than universal boundaries; CalcSpan shows the angle bands it uses.
Sources & scope
This page shows the source trail, jurisdiction and review date alongside the result. Always confirm time-sensitive rules with the linked authority.
What to know before using the result.
How does CalcSpan define golden hour and blue hour?
The calculator uses visible solar-altitude bands: blue hour from −6° to −4° and golden hour from −4° to +6°. These are transparent photographic conventions, not universal definitions.
Why do these times differ from a weather app?
Apps may use different angle definitions, rounding, elevation or horizon models. CalcSpan also requires the date-specific UTC offset, including daylight-saving time.
Does Use my current location upload my coordinates?
No. Browser geolocation populates the form locally; the calculator does not send coordinates to CalcSpan.